2024 Annual Trip to the Czech Republic – UIC Czech/Slovak Legal Institute
As told by Professor Michael Seng:
"We had a successful study trip to the Czech Republic in October. We had a record number of persons joining us this year – 24. Many were alumni of the school. Two were retired Cook County judges. The group presented the annual Day of US Law at Masaryk University in Brno. It was well attended. Members of our group spoke on American election law, immigration law, recent Supreme Court decisions, and privacy concerns with AI. Members of the group also presented a mock criminal trial. Many of our former Czech exchange students joined us at receptions in Brno and Prague. The group visited Prague, the new memorial in Lety for Roma who perished under the Nazi regime, and Nurenburg, where the group visited the scene of the war trials.
When we were in Prague, I was presented with the Gratias Agit award by the Czech Foreign Minister at a ceremony at the Cernin Palace. Many of our group were allowed to attend as were the Deans from Masaryk University, the Brno Technical University, and Professor Martin Bohacek from the Metropolitan University of Prague. The award is given each year to non-Czechs who have contributed to the well-being of the country. Previous award winners have been former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, film director Milos Forman, and playwright Tom Stoppard."